You Will Regret This Ichinose! [1]

On the first day of school, Uesugi Gen noticed the peculiarities of Advanced Nurturing High School.

Scattered across the campus were hidden yet ubiquitous surveillance cameras.

Despite being a school with national backing, its online information was oddly vague and incomplete.

The upperclassmen exuded a strange, almost imperceptible tension in their interactions.

Students were required to stay at school for three years, with no contact with the outside world unless permitted.

And then there was Uesugi Gen himself—he had only answered multiple-choice questions during the written exam, completely skipped the interview, and still ended up as a student here.

...

But!

None of that mattered.

What mattered was—

"Why is it that after I took a short stroll around campus, you all ended up infatuated with that woman? What kind of sorcery did she cast on you?!"

At the back of Class 1-B, near the window, Uesugi Gen had both hands on Shibata Sō's shoulders, shaking his newly-acquainted classmate furiously in an attempt to snap him out of it.

He had only gone out to gather some information, and when he left, everyone was normal. But when he returned? Oh, no. The whole class looked like they'd been brainwashed, surrounding her like a flock of mindless cult followers.

Sure, Uesugi Gen admitted that that woman, Ichinose Honami, was indeed beautiful. Her face was both delicate and slightly baby-like, with slender lashes, a high-bridged nose, and her signature long, golden-pink hair cascading down her back. She had a tall, slender figure, and the way her black thigh-high stockings wrapped snugly around her legs—climbing from her petite shoes, tightening around her calves, grazing over her smooth knees, and disappearing under her skirt—formed an undeniably alluring silhouette. And let's not forget her… sizable softness...

Agh, stop it!

What am I even thinking? I nearly fell into that woman's trap. Begone, wicked thoughts! Begone!

"Uh, Uesugi, I think you might be misunderstanding Ichinose. Once you get to know her, you'll see that she's actually a really great person," Shibata stammered, trying to defend Ichinose even as Uesugi continued to shake him.

Uesugi Gen stared blankly at Shibata.

Heh. Amusing.

She had come into the classroom and cleaned up without even being asked, made friends with nearly the entire class in less than a morning, and told everyone that if they ever needed help, they could come to her for anything.

And you're trying to tell me she did all this without ulterior motives? That she's just naturally kind-hearted?

Are you pitching me a sci-fi movie?

If such a girl really existed, I, Uesugi Gen, would eat this desk right now.

"Alright then, Shibata. Could you tell me exactly what's so great about Ichinose?"

Uesugi adjusted his expression, forcing a gentle smile as he posed the question.

Shibata blinked, his gaze wandering. After a long pause, he finally muttered, "Well, um… Ichinose is really pretty."

"And?"

Uesugi kept the same warm smile, his tone encouraging Shibata to continue.

"And… and Ichinose is just really, really pretty," Shibata stammered, his face reddening with embarrassment.

Uesugi Gen almost laughed out loud. So, after all this time, you couldn't even remember what she said? At least I remembered that she had a "helpful" personality. With a cold smirk, he said,

"You're just lusting after her. You're shameless."

"That's not true! Ichinose is—"

Before Shibata could finish, his gaze had already drifted to the center of the classroom, where Ichinose stood, surrounded by her admirers. A goofy smile began creeping onto his face.

Uesugi sighed and rubbed his temples. He didn't even need to look to know where Shibata's gaze had wandered. Taking a deep breath, Uesugi decided to make one final attempt. Speaking earnestly, with the utmost sincerity, he said:

"Shibata, admiration is the furthest thing from understanding. The more you fixate on her, the harder it will be for you to see her for who she truly is. Take my advice: give it a few months. Watch what she does, then decide if you still like her."

"No way. I'm sure she's the kind, helpful, energetic type of girl."

Shibata didn't even glance back as he replied.

...

"ARGHH!!" Screaming groundhog noise, jpg.

Uesugi let go of Shibata's shoulders, stumbling back and knocking into his desk.

It's hopeless. This guy's a lost cause.

Not just him. As Uesugi steadied himself, he turned to glance at the rest of the class.

Everyone surrounding Ichinose was just as far gone, infected by whatever unnameable force she carried. They were utterly entranced, unable to break free.

If this continued, all of Class B would end up as her devoted followers.

Lost in their obsession with Ichinose, they'd neglect their studies, fail to get into good universities, miss out on good jobs, and ultimately lead disappointing lives.

No. He couldn't just stand by and watch his classmates fall into ruin.

He had to do something. He had to pull Shibata and the others out of her grasp.

But normal methods wouldn't work. They were too far gone. He needed something drastic.

Uesugi's mind raced, his eyes darting to the classroom clock.

Got it.

With a glint in his eye, Uesugi snuck behind Shibata, placed a hand on his shoulder, and whispered devilishly,

"Hey, Shibata. Class is about to start. If the teacher walks in and sees everyone still crowding around Ichinose... you wouldn't want her to get a bad impression, would you? You should probably get everyone back to their seats."

"Right! Class is starting soon!"

Shibata snapped out of his daze, his gaze sharpening as he rushed toward the crowd.

Within moments, the group dispersed.

In the now-quiet classroom, Class 1-B sat silently at their desks, waiting for the teacher to arrive.

A few minutes later—

"Um, did someone just say the teacher's here?" a loud, awkward voice broke the silence.

Everyone turned to look at Shibata.

"Uh… um…" Shibata stammered, his face turning red.

"I think someone just misheard because it was so noisy earlier," Ichinose quickly interjected to smooth things over.

"Yeah, it was pretty noisy earlier. That's possible."

"It is about time for class to start, though."

"Ichinose is right."

...

At that moment, Shibata could almost see three angelic wings unfurling behind Ichinose's back.

Yamero! That idiot Shibata's fallen even deeper!

Uesugi slumped over his desk in despair.

And that evil woman, Ichinose—she had purposely stepped in to help Shibata in his moment of crisis, cementing herself further in his heart.

Oh, poor Shibata, played like a puppet in Ichinose's hands.

Suddenly, two large hands emerged from the shadows, wrapping around Uesugi's neck in a chokehold.

"Uesugi, you bastard! You tricked me!!"

Finally, Shibata's brain kicked in, and he realized Uesugi had played him.

As the two wrestled by the desk, Uesugi gasped between breaths, "I was saving you, Shibata! You've been corrupted by evil! You're turning on your friend! Repent before it's too late!"

"You're full of crap!"

Shibata roared in anger, as the two scuffled under the watchful eyes of their classmates.

Suddenly, Uesugi's expression shifted.

"Shibata, let go! The teacher's here!"

"Like I'd fall for that agai—"

Click.

The classroom door opened, and a female teacher walked in, carrying a stack of files.

Shibata instantly released Uesugi and scrambled back to his seat.

---

T/N: im actually a big fan of classroom of the elite!